Dutch Heavy Draft

Dutch Heavy Draft

Dutch Heavy Draft
Alternative names	Dutch Draft, Dutch Draught
Country of origin	Netherlands
Equus ferus caballus

The Dutch Heavy Draft Horse, also simply known as the Dutch Draft, Dutch Draught, or Nederland Trekpaard, is a draft horse from the Netherlands. They were developed after World War I for heavy draft and farm work.

History

The Dutch Heavy Draft is a relatively new breed of horse developed in the Netherlands after 1918. They were developed by cross-breeding the Brabant, Zeeland-type Dutch mares and the Belgian Ardennes, and still bear a resemblance to the Brabant.^[1] Since 1925 no horse other than those from registered parents are admitted to the stud book.^[2]

Characteristics

The Dutch Heavy Draft usually stands around 16 hands (64 inches, 163 cm) high and are generally chestnut, bay or gray, with black seen rarely. The head is well-formed, with a straight profile and pronounced jaw. The neck is powerful, the withers broad and low, the chest deep and the shoulder long and sloping. The back is short and the croup sloping. The legs are strong and muscular, with broad joints.^[3] The breed is the heaviest of the Dutch horse breeds. Despite their size, they are very active and economical to keep. They are generally intelligent and tend to have a long working life.^[1]

Uses

Traditionally, the Dutch Draft was used for agricultural purposes throughout the Netherlands, especially to plow heavy clay soils which tired many other breeds out. Before mechanisation, they were popular agricultural horses throughout Gelderland, North Brabant and Limburg due to their great strength and willing temperament.^[1]

References

1. Pickeral, Tamsin The Encyclopedia of Horses and Ponies. Parragon Plus, 2001. ISBN 0-7525-4158-7
2. McBane, Susan. The Illustrated Encyclopiedia of Horse Breeds Wellfleet Press, 1997
3. Bongianni, Maurizio. Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies. 1988, pg. 103. ISBN 0-671-66068-3